Trypanosomiasis, American

American trypanosomiasis, known as Chagas Disease, is limited to South and Central America, where it affects 16—18 million people aimuaHy in an area where 90 million are at risk. Although only an estimated 1% of infected individuals contract the disease, poverty and poor housing exacerbate it. There is a particularly high incidence of the disease in children. 

African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) are caused by Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively. Sleeping sickness results from being bitten by the insect vector, the tsetse fly. At first there is only local lymphadenitis but about a month later generalized malaise, fever, and systemic disease involving skeletal muscle is seen. 

Parasitic diseases, such as trypanosomiasis, malaria, and leishmaniasis, affect himdreds of millions people around the world, mainly in underdeveloped countries. They are also the most common opportunistic infections that affect patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Globally, malaria occupies the first place, but in Latin America, Chagas disease (American Trypanosomiasis) is the most relevant parasitic disease that produces morbidity and mortahty in low-income individuals. 

Bfx and Fx derivatives have been evaluated against the parasites Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), which is responsible for American Trypanosomiasis and Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) responsible for Malaria. 

Discuss the cardiovascular complications of chronic South American trypanosomiasis. 

The chronic presentation of American trypanosomiasis includes cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system manifestations. 

Space constraints do not allow detailed discussions of the world of parasites, and clinicians and students are directed to some excellent resources for further details on parasites and parasitic diseases.1,2 Discussion in this chapter will include those parasitic diseases that are more likely to be seen in the United States and will include gastrointestinal parasites (primarily giardiasis and amebiasis), protozoan infections (malaria and South American trypanosomiasis), some common helminthic... 

Miles MA. American trypanosomiasis. In Cook GC, Zumla A, eds. Manson s Tropical Diseases. 21st ed. London Saunders 2003 1325-1337. 

Various 9-A),]V-diethylaminopropyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazoles have been tested against Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), a human tropical parasitic disease. It was found that 8-chloro- and/or 8-methoxy-substituted analogs may have promise as trypanocidal substances (479). 

Chemically it is nitrofuran, used for American trypanosomiasis which is commonly known as Chagas disease. After oral administration, it is well absorbed and plasma half life is about three hours. 

Transmission of Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis) by Food... 

American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease, named after Carlos Chagas, who first described it in 1909, exists primarily only on the American Continent. It is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellate protozoan parasite. Chagas disease represents the leading cause of cardiac lesions in young, economically productive adults in the endemic countries in Latin America (Moncayo and Silveira, 2009). 

Miles, M. A., Feliciangeli, M. D., and Arias, A. R. (2003). American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) and the role of molecular epidemiology in guiding control strategies. BM] 326, 1444-1448. 

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